Flexible circuit board with LED lighting

ABSTRACT

A lighting apparatus that includes a flexible circuit board having a plurality of conductive terminals and at least one electronic component attached thereto such that the lengths of the terminals and component are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the circuit board. A plurality of light emitting elements, such as light emitting diodes (LED), is connected to the conductive terminals. The conductive terminals and corresponding LED leads may be located on one planar surface of the circuit board or may be distributed along both planar surfaces. Each one of a pair of the conductive terminals may be located on opposite surfaces of the circuit board so that the leads from an LED will straddle an upper edge of the circuit board. A method for installing a lighting apparatus includes providing a mounting means that will hold the flexible apparatus so that it is in a substantially upright position. The mounting means may include a plurality of slots so that the mounting means is flexible and conform to a variety of linear or non-linear shapes.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 60,266,354 filed Mar. 21, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to low voltage lighting systemsand, more particularly, to multicolor illumination systems with flexiblesupports for forming shaped configurations of lights.

[0003] Backlit devices such as signs, cove lighting and pool lightingoften utilize various configurations of lights (or lamps) to followpredetermined paths that may have linear portions and/or non-linearportions such as bends. For example, signs are commonly made with“channel letters” which are backlit. It is known to achieve suchbacklighting by mounting light bulbs behind the letters so that lighteither illuminates opaque lettering in a transparent or translucent faceor shines through translucent letters in an opaque face. In either case,the bulb placement produces bright areas at the bulb locations with lessbright areas away from the bulb location.

[0004] Similarly, it is known to employ commercially available round toplight emitting diodes (LED) for backlighting. However, round top LEDsare also known to produce bright spots, which detract from theaesthetics of the backlighting effect. Backlighting is most effectivewhen there is a wide angle of evenly distributed light to fill thestructure being backlit. Chip-type LEDs have been used to overcome thecreation of bright spots principally because of their wide viewingangle. One difficulty encountered with using chip-type LEDs on astandard circuit board is that they tend to break or come loose when theboard is flexed due to the manner by which they are attached to theboard. Conventional LEDs may also break, become dislodged or inhibit theflexibility of a standard circuit board when attached in a conventionalmanner. For example, conventional LEDs may be affixed to a circuit boardso the body of the LED is perpendicular to one of the board's planarsurfaces. If the base of the LED is affixed to the surface of the boardwith an epoxy or adhesive then the surface area of the board where theLED is affixed becomes more rigid and the board loses some of itsflexibility. LEDs affixed in this manner are susceptible to breakage orcoming loose when the board is flexed. An alternate method ofbacklighting uses fiber-optic cables to deliver light from a remotesource to the device to be lit. Diffusing lenses may be used at thecable end to spread the light and minimize the bright areascharacteristic of bulb lighting.

[0005] Backlighting and other needs for lighting effects frequentlyrequire a range of color and light intensities. They may also requirethat the housing or supporting structure for the lights be flexible sothat the lights may conform to a variety of shapes or patterns duringinstallation in order to achieve a desired illuminating effect. Also, itmay be desirable to have the lights connected with a flexible base sothe lights extend perpendicular from a planar surface of the base forspecific applications. It is known to configure flexible “strips” oflights in various manners. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,033 toMeggs. et al. discloses a flexible elongated lighting system adapted foruse primarily as an emergency lighting system. This lighting systemcomprises an elongated flexible waterproof housing member that iscapable of a directional transmission of light towards an optimumpredetermined field angle. The housing member is transparent and can bebent to define a subjective outline of an exit. A plurality ofindividual lighting elements is electrically mounted in parallel in thehousing member and spaced along a substantial portion of its length. Thehousing member is provided with a variable thickness upper portion tooptimize both refraction and reflection of the generated light and witha lower portion to facilitate the mounting and positioning of thelighting elements along the length of the housing member and also to asupport structure. The lighting elements may be light emitting diodes.

[0006] Another example of a flexible lighting array is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,173,035 to Hoty, which discloses a tape strip having aplurality of light emitting diodes connected therewith to create amoving light display. The strip includes a plurality of light emittingdiodes extending perpendicularly from one planar surface of the tape.The diode leads are inserted into a plurality of apertures and solderedand electrically connected to printed circuits. Another light stripdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,497 to Machida describes a row of lightemitting diodes arranged along the edge of a base plate rather thanextending from a planar surface. Adjacent diodes share common leads thatextend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the strip. The leadsare on one side of the strip and are connected by a conducting materialthat extends as a flat strip parallel with the longitudinal axis of thebase plate. In this respect, the base plate is not susceptible to beingflexed to conform to various configurations, if desired, because theconnections between the leads could be damaged or break due to beingflexed transverse to their longitudinal axis. This may cause anundesired failure of one or more of the lights in the row.

[0007] In view of the above, it would be advantageous to provide aflexible strip with lighting elements attached thereto that couldconform to a variety of shapes and contours while ensuring the integrityof the electrical connections. Providing the flexible strip with highintensity lighting elements having a wide viewing angel for a more evendistribution of light is desirable. It would also be advantageous toprovide a means for mounting a flexible strip to a support surface andallow for a plurality of flexible strips to be connected mechanicallyand electrically to form a longer assembly if desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a flexible strip that may have aplurality of lighting elements advantageously attached thereto so thatthe strip may conform to a wide variety of shapes without impairing theintegrity of electrical connections between lighting elements. In oneexemplary embodiment light-emitting diodes (LEDs) may be provided as thelighting elements. One aspect of the present invention allows for asystem for mounting and installing LEDs in various configurations. Aflexible printed circuit board such as a commercially available PC boardmade of fiberglass, for example, may be provided to which a plurality ofLEDs may be connected in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention. The LEDs may be arranged with a fixed amount of space betweensequential LEDs to provide an evenly distributed lighting effect. Otherembodiments may space the LEDs in various arrangements.

[0009] Each flexible PC board may be provided at one or both ends with aconnector allowing it to be connected mechanically and electrically inseries with other boards to form longer assemblies as desired. A singleboard or a plurality of boards connected in series is advantageous inthat they may be mounted on one edge, that is, so the board is in anupright position. The light emitting elements may be connected to theboard so they extend longitudinally from the board's upper edge wheninstalled. This configuration advantageously conforms to fit letters forsigns, cove lighting, pool lighting, channel letters, twisting about acolumn and other applications requiring linear and/or non-linearlighting. It also allows for the flexible board to be easily mounted toa support surface that is substantially parallel with the base. Ifdesired, two or more boards may be mounted in parallel to accommodatewide lettering, for example.

[0010] Each flexible circuit board may be produced in a conventionalmanner with electrical conductors formed on one or both planar surfacesof the board in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. Thelayout of the board may be designed such that any electrical component,such as the electrical conductors or a resistor, mounted to the board ispositioned so its lengthwise axis is generally transverse orperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board. This orientation isadvantageous in that it minimizes any stress applied to the componentswhen the board is flexed or bent about an axis substantially normal tothe board's longitudinal axis. That is, when the board is flexed alongits longitudinal axis the stress on the components is minimize due totheir orientation. In contrast, if an electrical component were mountedto the board with its length generally parallel to the board'slongitudinal axis the component may resist bending when the board isflexed or bent in this manner. This may cause damage to or break thecomponent.

[0011] Electrical conductors may be provided on the board and mayinclude a plurality of pads or terminations adapted for electricalconnection to conductors of a light-emitting element such as LEDs, forexample. Each LED typically has a pair of corresponding conductors orleads in the form of small gauge wire. The LED leads may be soldered tothe terminations on the flexible board. The terminations may be arrangedin adjacent pairs on the flexible board such that the LEDs can bepositioned with their respective leads on corresponding terminations andsoldered in place. In this exemplary embodiment, each termination'slength may be oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axisof the flexible circuit board to minimize stress applied to atermination when the board is flexed or bent. Each termination maydesirably extend so that a distal end is proximate the upper edge of theboard. This arrangement allows the connected LEDs to extendlongitudinally from the upper edge of the board. Both LED leads may beconnected to terminations formed on the same side, or planar surface, ofthe board if desired.

[0012] In another exemplary embodiment, the electrical conductors may bearranged on both or opposite planar surfaces of the board such that eachtermination of a pair of terminations is located on a planar surface ofthe circuit board opposite the other. In other words, one termination ison one planar surface of the board and the matching termination forconnecting to a lighting element is on the opposite planar surface. Inthis respect, an LED may be positioned to extend from an edge of theboard where one LED lead is connected to each surface of the board. Thisaspect, as well as connecting both LED leads to the same side of aboard, is advantageous in forming the board along bends, around cornersor following cursive lettering, for example, while maintaining theintegrity of the electrical connections and avoiding breakage of theLED.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention allows for means for mountingthe flexible circuit board to a supporting surface such as one that isoriented parallel to a planar surface of the flexible circuit board. Forexample, in one embodiment the means for mounting may include aplurality of spaced apertures formed along the length of the circuitboard. The apertures may be used to mount the board to a support surfaceusing known mounting implements such as nails or screws. The aperturesmay also be used to hang a circuit board from hooks affixed to thesupport surface. Another exemplary embodiment allows for the mountingmeans to include an elongated structure that is adapted to firmly securethe flexible circuit board by means of a plurality of clips extendingfrom the structure. The structure may include a plurality of slots cutinto its base so that the structure is sufficiently flexible to conformto a variety of shapes. A plurality of apertures may be provided withinthe structure so that it may be mounted to a support surface. In thisrespect, one aspect of the present invention allows for a method formounting a flexible circuit board to a support surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a flexible circuit boardcontemplated by the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a flexible board andLED mounting arrangement;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of amounting means contemplated by the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a flexiblecircuit board secured within the mounting means of FIG. 4; and

[0019]FIG. 6. is a cross sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a flexible printedcircuit board of the present invention generally referred to as 10. Theflexible printed circuit board 10 may be fabricated by known methods ofknow materials and may be a standard PC board made of fiberglass, forexample. Other materials may be used provided the board 10 may be shapedinto various configurations without cracking or breaking and so that anyelectrical components fabricated within board 10 will not become looseor dislodged from board 10 when it is flexed or bent into shape. Thishelps to maintain the integrity of any electrical connections affixed tothe board. In one exemplary embodiment the board 10 may have a thicknessin of about 0.03125 inches and a width of about 0.4 of an inch. Astandard PC board with these dimensions provides sufficient flexibilityin accordance with one aspect of the invention. The board 10 may beprovided in varying lengths but typically may be about 20 inches long.

[0021] The board 10 may include a plurality of conductive pads orterminations 12 arranged in pairs on one planar surface of board 10,although it will be recognized that additional pairs of terminations 12,or terminal pairs, may be arranged on the opposite planar surface. Inthis respect, a plurality of terminations 12 may be provided on oneplanar surface only or on both planar surfaces of board 10. Variousconfigurations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Forexample, terminal pairs 12 could alternate sequentially from one surfaceof the board to the other along the longitudinal axis of the board 10.Similarly, groups of terminal pairs 12, such as four terminal pairs 12grouped together for example, could alternate sequentially from onesurface of the board to the other along its longitudinal axis. Board 10may be constructed so that terminations 12 are located on one side ofboard 10 only or the terminations 12 may be located on both sides ofboard 10 simultaneously. The terminations 12 may be constructed ofconventional material that provides electrical conductance to a lightingelement when connected. In an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention the lighting element may be an LED. Other embodiments mayinclude different terminations depending on the lighting element. Forinstance, the terminations 12 could be housed in a female connectoradapted to receive the male connector of a halogen lamp.

[0022] One embodiment of the present invention allows for theterminations 12 to be arranged on the board 10 so that their length orlongitudinal axis

is substantially transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Lof board 10. This arrangement minimizes stress on the terminations 12when a portion of the board 10 is flexed or bent about an axis that issubstantially normal to the board's 10 longitudinal axis. In oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention the terminals 12 aredesigned to provide electrical connection with a low-voltage LED, suchas LEDs 26 shown in FIG. 2. In one exemplary embodiment a flat top LEDhaving a wide angle of about 60 degrees or greater may be used. It hasbeen determined by the assignee of the present invention that using aflat top LED, such as those available from Agilent Technologies,significantly reduces or eliminates bright spots in the illuminatingeffect, which are often caused by conventional round top T1 ¾ LEDs.Using flat top LEDs arranged on board 10 in accordance with one aspectof the present invention also achieves a more even dispersion of light.It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that terminals 12 maybe designed to provide electrical connection with various other types oflighting elements such as halogen bulbs or other such elements dependingon the specific application.

[0023] Low voltage electronics may be provided on the board 10, forexample, for powering the LEDs or a separate voltage source may beprovided. The LEDs may be adapted to produce a wide range of colors. Forexample, LEDs may be provided with the flexible circuit board 10 toproduce red, blue, green, white, orange and amber, for example, whichwhen used in combinations may produce almost any desired color. The LEDsmay be grouped by color or colors to control the illuminating effect orthe flexible circuit board 10 may be provided with a plurality of LEDsthat produce the same color. A computer processor may be provided forcontrolling the red, green and blue LEDs or for controlling anycombination of LEDs to produce a desired illuminating effect. Oneembodiment of the present invention allows for the processor to beprogrammed so that a momentary low-voltage power interrupt can be usedto lock a desired color for illumination. This may be accomplished bypulse width modulation. The power interrupt routine may also stop otherpreprogrammed routines such as those designed to produce random orplanned changes in the preprogrammed illumination schemes.

[0024] One exemplary embodiment of the present invention may includeelectrical components such as resistors 14 where the resistors 14 may bearranged on the board 10 so that their length is substantiallytransverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of board 10. Thisarrangement minimizes stress on the resistors 14 when a portion of theboard 10 is flexed or bent about an axis that is substantially normal tothe board's 10 longitudinal axis. The resistors 14 may be conventionalsurface mount or hole mount resistors, for example. One aspect of thepresent invention allows for resistors 14 to be located on one side ofboard 10 only or the resistors 14 may be located on both sides of board10 simultaneously. Similarly, terminations 12 and resistors 14 may befabricated in various combinations on one side of board 10 only or theymay be fabricated in various combinations on both sides of board 10simultaneously.

[0025] One exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows forboard 10 to include adjacent pairs of pads 16 spaced along itslongitudinal axis. Pads 16 may serve as joints where two or moresegments 18 may be disconnected or joined together. For example, board10 may be fabricated having a plurality of pads 16 in spaced relation. Anotch or space may be formed between adjacent pairs of pads 16 to allowthe board 10 to be cut into segments 18. This aspect of the presentinvention allows for the length of the board 10 to be adjusted fordifferent applications. Each end of a segment 18 may include an adjacentpair of pads 16 that function as a means for connecting one segment 18to another segment 18. Each segment 18 may be mechanically andelectrically joined to other segments 18 by soldering adjacent pairs ofpads 16 together, or by other suitable methods. Pads 16 may alsofunction as a means for a segment 18 to be electrically connected withother components or a power source, for example. For example, anelectrical connector may be affixed to the pads 16 for connecting toother devices or the devices could be connected directly to the pads 16.One or more of the pads 16 may include a hole to facilitate theconnections. Each segment 18 may be about 12 inches in length or it maybe other lengths as desired. In this respect, each segment 18 mayaccommodate approximately five pairs of terminations 12 and tworesistors 14. This exemplary embodiment of the present invention allowsfor five LEDs to be affixed to the board 10 in each segment 18. It willbe recognized by those skilled in the art that the number ofterminations 12 and resistors 14 per segment 18 may vary.

[0026] Installation of one or more boards 10 may include means formounting or affixing the board 10 in position on a support surface. Forexample, means for mounting board 10 to a support structure may includemounting holes or apertures such as indicated at 20 in FIG. 1 and may beprovided in each segment 18. Mounting holes 20 may be spaced from theterminations 12 and resistors 14 to minimize the risk of damage to thosecomponents when the board 10 is being affixed or mounted in place. In analternate embodiment, as will be described more fully below, it may bepreferable to use another means for affixing or mounting the board 10 toa supporting structure, which may provide for an increased ability tocontrol the board's 10 positioning and bending during installationand/or use. FIG. 2 and 3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention where a plurality of LEDs 26 is connected to a board10.

[0027]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of ameans for mounting the flexible board 10 and generally referred to as30. The mounting means 30 may include a base section 32 that may have aplurality of notches 34 formed therein. The notches 34 may extendsubstantially but not completely across the base section 32 therebyallowing the base section 32 to be bent or flexed at the notches 34. Inan alternate embodiment the base section 32 may be formed of asufficiently flexible material and would not require notches 34. In oneexemplary embodiment the notches 34 may extend across the base section32 in opposite directions, as shown in FIG. 4, so that the base section32 may be flexed to about the same degree in either direction. Alternateembodiments may have notches 34 extending across the base section 32 inonly one direction on one side of the base section 32 if desired. Suchan embodiment may be useful for forming a specific shape such as acircle or oval, for example. Other embodiments may space notches 34 in arange of patterns along the base section 32 to accommodate any specificneed for forming a desired pattern. Another alternate embodiment mayinclude a plurality of notches formed longitudinally within base section32 or a plurality of apertures to provide sufficient flexibility to themounting means 30.

[0028] The mounting means 30 may be constructed of a plastic or othersuitable material. Mounting means 30 may include a plurality of holes orapertures 36 extending through the base section 32 for attaching themounting means 30 to a support structure. A countersunk portion 36 a mayalso be provided. A hole 36 may be located between each adjacent pair ofnotches 34 so that each segment 33 of base section 32 may beindependently attached to a support surface. In an alternate embodiment,holes 36 may be formed at various locations along the longitudinal axisof base section 32. In another alternate embodiment an appropriateadhesive may be used to mount the base section 32 to a support structurerather than holes 36.

[0029] Mounting means 30 may also include means for securing board 10 tothe base section 32 such as a plurality of clips 38 extendingsubstantially perpendicular from an upper surface 37 of base section 32.The clips 38 may extend upward from the base section 32 and may be sizedand shaped so as to receive and retain the flexible board 10. In oneexemplary embodiment each clip 38 may include a first flexible arm 38 aand a second flexible arm 38 b. The first arm 38 a and the second arm 38b may each have a frontal portion 39 and an overhanging portion 40. Thearms 38 a and 38 b may be affixed to the upper surface 37 in an opposingmanner so that the frontal portion 39 of first arm 38 a faces thefrontal portion 39 of second arm 38 b. Similarly, in this exemplaryembodiment the arms 38 a and 38 b may be situated on the upper surface37 so that the overhanging portion 40 of each arm 38 a and 38 b facetoward one another. Each overhanging portion 40 may include asubstantially beveled portion 41 to facilitate grasping an arm 38 a or39 b so that the arms may be flexed away from each other for inserting aboard 10 there between. For example, an end user may place a finger orthumb on the beveled portion 41 to urge that arm away from the other toinsert the board 10. It will be recognize by those skilled in the artthat the means for securing the board 10 may be embodied as clips 38 oralternate structures such as being formed similar to alligator clips,hooks or the grasping end of a paper clip, for example.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention the first and secondflexible arms 38 a and 38 b may be affixed to upper surface 37 so thattheir opposing frontal portions 39 define a space there between viewedalong a longitudinal axis of the base section 32. The space may besubstantially the same as the thickness of board 10. Also, each arm 38 aand 38 b may include a lower surface 43 that may be formed as part ofthe overhanging portion 40. The lower surface 43 may form asubstantially right angle with the frontal portion 39. One aspect of thepresent invention allows for the distance between the lower surface 43and upper surface 37 to be substantially the same as the width of board10. The distances between the frontal portions 39 of opposing arms 38 aand 38 b, and the upper and lower surfaces 37 and 43 provide a securegrasp on the board 10 when inserted within the clips 38 of the mountingmeans 30.

[0031]FIG. 5 illustrates a board 22, fabricated substantially the sameas board 10, secured within the mounting means 30. Board 10 is securedwithin the mounting means 30 in the same manner as shown for board 22 inFIGS. 5 and 6. Board 22 may include one termination on one surface ofboard 22 and the other termination of a pair on the opposite surface ofboard 22 rather than both terminations of the pair being on one surfaceas shown on board 10 in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 illustrates an end view of board22 where one electrical lead 28 extending from an LED 26 is connectedwith one of the pair of terminations 12 (not shown) on each surface ofthe board 22. In this respect, the electrical leads 28 straddle a topedge 29 of board 22 when connected with the terminations 12. In thisexemplary embodiment the resistors 14 may be in the same or similarlocations as those depicted in FIG. 1. In alternate embodiments thenumber and location of resistors 14 may vary as a function of the LED orother lighting element performance specifications and length of theboard 10 or 22.

[0032]FIG. 5 illustrates board 22 inserted between a plurality of firstarms 38 a and second arms 38 b on one embodiment of a mounting means 30as shown in FIG. 4. The board 22 may be aligned within the flexible armsso that the first and second arms 38 a and 38 b do not exert force on orotherwise interfere with electrical components such as the resistors 14,terminations 12 or the electrical leads 28 of an LED, for example. FIG.6 illustrates an end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 with theboard 22 held by a pair of arms 38 a and 38 b.

[0033] One aspect of the present invention allows for the mounting means30 to be affixed on a support surface first and then the flexiblecircuit board 10 or 22 to be inserted in the clips 38 of the mountingmeans 30. Other mounting methods are contemplated such as by attachingthe flexible board 10 or 22 directly to a shaped surface by mountingimplements such as screws or nails extending through holes 20 into thesupport surface. In another embodiment, the clips 38 could be affixed toseparate, individual base pieces that are individually mounted to asupport surface to define a pattern. Portions of the flexible circuitboard 10 or 22 may then be inserted into the mounted clips 38. Stillanother embodiment of mounting a board 10 or 22 may include passing theboard through an extruder to encapsulate the board within a mountingmeans similar to that shown in FIG. 4. This embodiment may have a basesection that is wider than that shown in FIG. 4 so that apertures formedintegral with the mounting means through which mounting screws or nailswould be inserted are offset from the base section 32. This would avoidinterference between the screws or nails and the flexible board 10 or 22encapsulated within the mounting means.

[0034] The LEDs are low voltage elements and avoid the electrical hazardassociated with use of regular incandescent, fluorescent or neonlighting. Color LEDs in such colors as red, green, blue, white, orangeand amber are commercially available and may be used with variousembodiments of the present invention. Further, the LEDs can be mountedin groups, such as red, green, blue and the intensity of each controlledindividually and/or together so as to produce a broad range of perceivedcolors. It is contemplated that the LEDs 26 on each flexible circuitboard 10 or 22 can be controlled by a local processor to produce anydesired pattern of colors, both fixed and changing. Commerciallyavailable processors can be programmed to provide such color control.For example, PIC chips can be programmed using pulse width modulation ata simple level to cyclically vary the voltage applied to the LEDs tocontrol color. The advantage of such simple, local control is that theflexible circuit board 10 or 22 having LEDs connected to it can betreated as a single module requiring only two low voltage leads to themodule for power. The PIC can be programmed so that a momentary powerinterrupt can cycle the PIC to another operating mode, such as tomaintain a fixed LED color, for example.

[0035] It will be recognized that the flexible circuit board 10 or 22with low-voltage, controlled LED lighting can be applied to manyapplications where it is desirable to avoid risks associated with normalhousehold or commercial voltages. For example, pool lighting can besimplified using an encapsulated flexible circuit board 10 or 22 withLED lamps such that water cannot get to the electrical connections atthe lamps. Further, adding a PIC to control color produced by the lightemitting elements may be desirable. Track lighting or channel lightingalso becomes simpler to implement and avoids the risks associated withhandling higher voltage lighting apparatus.

[0036] While specific embodiments of the invention have been describedin detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications and alternatives to those details could bedeveloped in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure.Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to beillustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which isto be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and allequivalents thereof.

We claim: 1) A lighting apparatus comprising: a circuit board adapted tobe flexed along a longitudinal axis, the circuit board adapted toreceive an electrical current; at least one conductive terminal disposedon the circuit board and adapted to receive at least a portion of theelectrical current, the at least one conductive terminal having alongitudinal axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis ofthe circuit board to minimize stress on the at least one conductiveterminal when the board is flexed; and a light emitting element havingat least one conductive lead, the light emitting element connected toand in electrical communication with the at least one conductiveterminal. 2) The lighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: meansfor mounting the circuit board to a support structure; and means forconnecting the circuit board to at least one of a power source and anelectrical device. 3) The lighting apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising: an electrical component disposed on the circuit board andadapted to receive at least a portion of the electrical current, theelectrical component having a longitudinal axis substantially transverseto the longitudinal axis of the circuit board to minimize stress on theelectrical component when the board is flexed. 4) The lighting apparatusof claim 1 further comprising: means for connecting the circuit board toa second circuit board. 5) The lighting apparatus of claim 2, the meansfor mounting comprising: at least one aperture formed within the circuitboard. 6) The lighting apparatus of claim 2, the means for mountingcomprising: a base section, the base section adapted to be flexed alonga longitudinal axis to conform to a predetermined shape; and means forsecuring the circuit board to the base section so the circuit board isfitted to the predetermined shape. 7) The lighting apparatus of claim 6further comprising: at least one notch formed within the base sectionfor allowing the base section to be flexed. 8) The lighting apparatus ofclaim 6, the means for securing the circuit board to the base sectioncomprising: a first flexible arm extending substantially perpendicularfrom the base section; and a second flexible arm extending substantiallyperpendicular from the base section, the first and second arms being injuxtaposition and adapted to receive a portion of the circuit boardthere between. 9) The lighting apparatus of claim 8 further comprising:a first overhanging portion extending substantially perpendicular from adistal end of the first flexible arm; and a second overhanging portionextending substantially perpendicular from a distal end of the secondflexible arm, the first and second overhanging portions adapted to fitover an upper edge of the circuit board when secured between the firstand second flexible arms. 10) The lighting apparatus of claim 1, the atleast one conductive terminal comprising: a first conductive leaddisposed on a first planar surface of the circuit board; and a secondconductive lead disposed on the first planar surface. 11) The lightingapparatus of claim 10 wherein a distal end of the first conductive leadand a distal end of the second conductive lead are proximate an edge ofthe circuit board. 12) The lighting apparatus of claim 1, the at leastone conductive terminal comprising: a first conductive lead disposed ona first planar surface of the circuit board; and a second conductivelead disposed on a second planar surface of the circuit board such thatthe light emitting element will straddle an edge of the circuit boardwhen a pair of the at least one conductive lead of the light emittingelement are connected to the first conducive lead and the secondconductive lead of the at least one conductive terminal. 13) Thelighting apparatus of claim 12 wherein a distal end of the firstconductive lead and a distal end of the second conductive lead areproximate the edge of the circuit board. 14) The lighting apparatus ofclaim 3, the light-emitting element comprising a flat top light-emittingdiode having a wide angle of at least about 60 degrees. 15) A lightingsystem comprising: a plurality of circuit boards, each circuit boardadapted to be flexed along a longitudinal axis and adapted to receive anelectrical current; means for mounting the plurality of circuit boardsto a support structure; a plurality of conductive terminals disposed onat least one of the plurality of circuit boards, at least one of theplurality of conductive terminals adapted to receive at least a portionof the electrical current; means for connecting one of the plurality ofcircuit boards to another of the plurality of circuit boards; and aplurality of light emitting elements connected to and in electricalcommunication with the plurality of conductive terminals. 16) Thelighting system of claim 15 further comprising: at least one electricalcomponent disposed on at least one of the plurality of circuit boardsand adapted to receive at least a portion of the electrical current. 17)The lighting system of claim 15, the means for mounting comprising: atleast one aperture formed within the plurality of circuit boards; andmeans for connecting at least one of the plurality of circuit boards toa power supply. 18) The lighting system of claim 15, the means formounting comprising: a base section adapted to be flexed along alongitudinal axis so it may conform to a predetermined shape; and meansfor securing the plurality of circuit boards to the base section so theplurality of circuit boards conform to the predetermined pattern. 19)The lighting system of claim 15, at least one of the plurality ofconductive terminals having a longitudinal axis substantially transverseto the longitudinal axis of the circuit board to minimize stress on theconductive terminal when the board is flexed. 20) The lighting system ofclaim 19 further comprising: at least one electrical component disposedon at least one of the plurality of circuit boards and adapted toreceive at least a portion of the electrical current, the electricalcomponent having a longitudinal axis substantially transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the circuit board to minimize stress on theelectrical component when the board is flexed. 21) The lighting systemof claim 18, the means for securing the plurality of circuit boards tothe base section comprising: a plurality of clips extending from thebase section, each clip comprising a first flexible arm in juxtapositionwith a second flexible arm wherein a portion of the plurality of circuitboards is secured between the first and second flexible arms. 22) Thelighting system of claim 21 further comprising: a first overhangingportion extending from a distal end of the first flexible arm; and asecond overhanging portion extending from a distal end of the secondflexible arm, the first and second overhanging portions adapted to fitover an edge of the plurality of flexible circuit boards when secured bythe flexible arms. 23) The flexible lighting system of claim 18, themeans for mounting comprising a plurality of notches formed across thebase section for flexing the mounting means along its longitudinal axis.24) The flexible lighting system of claim 15, at least one of theplurality of conductive terminals having a longitudinal axissubstantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the circuit boardto minimize stress on the plurality of conductive terminals when theboard is flexed. 25) The flexible lighting system of claim 24 wherein atleast one of the plurality of conductive terminals comprises a firstconductive lead disposed on a first surface of one of the plurality ofcircuit boards and a second conductive lead disposed on a second surfaceof the circuit board; and at least one of the plurality of lightemitting elements comprises a first lead connected to the firstconductive lead and a second lead connected to the second conductivelead such that the first lead and the second lead of the light emittingelement straddle an edge of one of the plurality of circuit boards. 26)A method for installing a lighting apparatus comprising the steps of:providing a circuit board having a plurality of light emitting elementsextending longitudinally from an upper edge of the circuit board;providing a means for mounting the circuit board to a support surface;affixing the means for mounting to the support surface; and insertingthe circuit board within the means for mounting such that a lower edgeof the circuit board is proximate an upper surface of the mounting meansand the circuit board is securely held in an upright position. 27) Themethod of claim 26 further comprising the step of: providing the meansfor mounting with a plurality of clips extending from a base section ofthe means for mounting, the plurality of clips adapted to securely holdthe circuit board. 28) The method of claim 27 further comprising thestep of: forming each of the plurality of clips with a first flexiblearm in juxtaposition with a second flexible arm. 29) The method of claim26 further comprising the step of: forming at least one notch within thebase section of the mounting means so the mounting means may conform toa predetermined pattern. 30) The method of claim 26 further comprisingthe step of: providing light emitting diodes as the light emittingelements; and connecting a first lead of each diode to a correspondingterminal on one surface of the circuit board and a second lead of eachdiode to a corresponding terminal on the opposite surface of the circuitboard so that the first lead and second lead straddle an upper edge ofthe circuit board. 31) The method of claim 26 further comprising thestep of: providing the circuit board so that it may be flexed to conformto a variety of shapes.